TribLive: A Conversation with Williams and Pitts
Full video of my 1/31 TribLive conversation with state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie. Full Story
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Searching for Clues in Perry's State of the State
The governor stayed away from social issues and some obvious hot-button topics in his State of the State speech this week. But that doesn't mean it wasn't a political speech. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Texas Ethics Reform: A Long, Tortured History
From Gov. James "Pa" Ferguson's impeachment to the Sharpstown scandal, Texas has weathered mighty ethics controversies. Despite reforms, the Legislature still faces criticism over lax disclosure rules and ties with lobbyists. Full Story
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![A portrait of power in Texas in 1970: House Speaker Gus Mutscher, Governor Preston Smith, former president Lyndon Johnson, and Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes, at "Gus Mutscher Day" in Brenham, August 17, 1970.]()
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Bill Would Clarify End-of-Life Treatment for Terminally Ill
The families of terminally ill patients would receive more time to find a willing medical provider for their relative and get more help through difficult end-of-life legal processes under a bill filed by state Sen. Robert Deuell. Full Story
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TribLive: Williams and Pitts on Public Ed Funding
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, talked about how the school finance litigation affects the debate over public education funding. Full Story
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TribLive: Williams and Pitts on Medicaid
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, discussed what the state should do about its exploding Medicaid obligations. Full Story
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Bills Aim to Stop Diverting Funds Meant for State Parks
Some legislators say the practice of diverting funds earmarked for state parks compromises the integrity of the state budget and the quality of parks. Full Story
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Pitts and Williams Say School Funding Debate Can Wait
Ongoing school finance litigation will likely prevent the Legislature from discussing education funding issues this session, two Republican budget leaders said at a TribLive event Thursday. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
TribLive: Williams and Pitts on the Rainy Day Fund
At Thursday morning's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, talked about the possibility of withdrawals from the Rainy Day Fund. Full Story
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Straus Makes House Committee Assignments
House Speaker Joe Straus announced committee assignments for the Legislature's lower chamber on Thursday, ending speculation over key chairmanships and giving lawmakers the go-ahead to start considering bills. Here's his list. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Lawmakers Seek Cash to Fix Roads Hit by Drilling
As lawmakers look for a way to fix infrastructure crumbling under the weight of a drilling boom, talk of reducing the tax money that feeds the state's Rainy Day Fund is drawing attention. Full Story
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Senators Take On Health Care Costs, Medicaid Expansion
Texas budget writers got a briefing on the state’s health care programs Wednesday, and the biggest questions focused on how the state can reduce fraud and what to do about ever-increasing health care costs. Full Story
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Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Legislative Notebook — Week 2
Lawmakers are still in the “fixin’ to” stage of the session taking a week off after a week on the job — not unusual in the years when presidents are being inaugurated — but the wheels are turning. Full Story
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Hygiene Products Running Low in Prisons as State Contracts Lapse
Texas prisons are running low on hygiene products that are not considered necessities for inmates, including toothpaste and deodorant. Family members and inmates are frustrated as state officials try to find a contractor. Full Story
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Interactive Map: Senate Committees by Districts of Sitting Members
The members of the Texas Senate have been placed in their committees, but where in the state do the committee members come from? Use this interactive to explore the geographic distribution of committee members in the Senate. Full Story
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Lawmakers Renew Push to Ban Texting While Driving
At a briefing Tuesday, lawmakers and relatives of people killed while texting and driving renewed a push to make the practice illegal. A proposal passed during the last session but was vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry. Full Story
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![Jeanne Brown, whose daughter Alex Brown died in a 2009 accident while texting and driving, spoke Jan. 29, 2013, in support of a bill making texting and driving illegal. Texas is one of 11 states without a state-wide ban on texting while driving, though multiple cities have passed ordinances making it illegal.]()
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Storify: Perry's State of the State Address
This Storify presentation reveals the instant reactions on social media by legislators, staffers, guests and journalists to Gov. Rick Perry's State of the State address. Full Story
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Video: Democrats Respond to Gov. Perry's State of the State Address
Texas Democratic legislators respond to Gov. Rick Perry's seventh State of the State address on Tuesday. Full Story
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Video: State of the State Address
Full video of Gov. Rick Perry's seventh State of the State address. Full Story
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Perry Talks Water, Tax Relief in State of the State
In his seventh State of the State address, Gov. Rick Perry ignored controversial issues and urged state lawmakers to do the nitty gritty work of government: fund water projects, build more roads and improve education. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
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